The trend estimate for the total number of dwelling units commenced rose 1.0% in the September quarter 2006.

New private sector house commencements rose 1.8% in the latest quarter.

The trend for new private other residential building commencements fell 0.4% in the September quarter 2006.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ESTIMATES

In seasonally adjusted terms, the total number of dwelling units commenced rose 0.3%, to 37,779 in the September quarter 2006. This follows a fall of 3.0% in the June quarter.

New private sector house commencements rose 2.5%, to 26,062.

New private other residential building fell 4.0%, to 10,573 in the September quarter 2006. This follows a fall of 9.2% in the June quarter.

NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER)

Release Date

December 2006

20 March 2007

March 2007

20 June 2007

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication provides an early indication of trends in the number of dwelling units commenced. The data are estimates based on a response rate of approximately 90% of a sample of building jobs collected in the Building Activity Survey. More comprehensive and updated results will be released in Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0) on 22 January 2007.

SIGNIFICANT REVISIONS THIS ISSUE

Compared to the estimates published in Building Activity, Australia, June quarter 2006 (cat. no. 8752.0), released on 13 September 2006:

the number of private sector new houses commenced in Australia during the June quarter 2006 has been revised down by 319 (-1.2%).

the number of new private sector other residential dwelling units commenced in Australia during the June quarter 2006 has been revised up by 78 (0.7%).

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Tamra Guiver on Adelaide (08) 8237 7655.